Inspired by the fearless creativity and couture statements of the Met Gala, this styled shoot at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art reimagines the iconic event as an artful, inclusive wedding celebration. With design and coordination by OSO IN LOVE Wedding & Event Curators, the editorial blends striking couture details, dramatic design elements, and inclusive storytelling to prove that love, like art, knows no bounds.
This Met Gala inspired editorial was a collaboration of talented local wedding vendors, including OSO IN LOVE Wedding & Event Curators, Thrive Photography & Films, Paul F. Gero Photography, daffodil*parker, Fest Paper and Design, DuBois Formalwear, Melissa Ann Artistry + Co, Event Essentials, Velvet Rentals, Creative Confections by Alicia Russell, Infusion Chocolates, Cayla the Painter, Celebrations Entertainment, and models Nathan Ambessie and Abe Grunow.
Prepared to be blown away by the video highlight below from Paul F. Gero Photography, then keep scrolling for all the detailed images from Thrive Photography & Films for this bold editorial!
The Met Gala is famous for its unique themes and bold red-carpet fashion. Stationer Fest Paper & Design drew inspiration from the ensembles worn by the 2025 guests, including André 3000’s piano suit and Janelle Monáe’s striking trompe l’oeil look. The result was a bold, geometric design that balanced positive and negative space. Textures were also utilized through a burgundy, velvet envelope liner and torn edges on several pieces.
The theme and materials continued through the signage. Fest Paper & Design crafted a welcome sign featuring artistically arranged velvet letters that stood out against the black background. Other pieces included a multimedia seating chart and fabric menus contrasted by crisp white lettering.
DuBois Formalwear understood the assignment, selecting fashion pieces that felt luxe, creative, and cohesive. Model Abe wore a burgundy suit with a black satin collar and ornaments. The darker palette stood out against a crisp white undershirt and was accessorized with a patterned bow tie, a matching pocket square, and an oversized floral shoulder piece.
Nathan slayed in a black and white ensemble that included a black, pattered suit jacket, a white undershirt, and completed with a floor-length, black tulle skirt. They were accessorized with florals and a long ribbon bow tie.
Located within an iconic space designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) was the perfect venue to host an extravagant gala-inspired wedding right here in Wisconsin. In addition to a permanent art collection and rotating exhibitions, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is a beloved venue for intimate, one-of-a-kind weddings and events with downtown rooftop views, a sculpture garden, and abundant natural light. Celebrations Entertainment also helped create a red carpet backdrop with LED Blinder Lights for individual and couple photos.
Melissa Ann Artistry + Co‘s team leaned into bold, theatrical flair for hair and makeup, pushing the boundaries and showcasing their versatility. They drew inspiration from Billie Holiday, reimagining her iconic style through a modern lens. Abe’s hair featured a sculptural pompadour, structured yet soft, with vintage undertones, blending a classic silhouette with a contemporary edge.
Nathan showcased their natural, voluminous curls, asymmetrically accessorized with a feather and floral headpiece.
For makeup, Melissa Ann Artistry + Co embraced drama and dimension, layering textures and tones. Stepping outside of their usual style, they played with luminous highlights, exaggerated line, and unexpected color placements–like Abe’s red wings!–that artfully played with light and shadow.
Velvet Rentals showcased an array of pieces in the lounge, including their black velvet Ivan Chairs, Victoria Sofa, and Irina Settee loveseat. The lounge was set against floor-to-ceiling windows and a red and black draped backdrop. They also provided a coffee table, an end table, and round, velvet pillows.
The tablescape, grounded with a black houndstooth tablecloth, was a harmony of geometric shapes and organic elements. In addition to the tablecloth, Event Essentials provided heirloom black dinnerware, glassware, silverware, and black chiavari chairs. The table was further adorned by matte black table lamps from Velvet Rentals, bud vases, and an extravagant, showstopping floral endcap by daffodil*parker.
Blooms for the day included red roses, anthurium, burgundy scabiosa, amaranthus, and plenty of surrounding greenery. daffodil*parker used their talents and eye for detail at the welcome and ceremony space, the tablescape, lounge, and wearable florals for the couple.
Live art is an interactive and exciting guest experience that results in one-of-a-kind, original artworks and favors–and is especially fitting for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art! Cayla the Painter used her signature style to frame the couple on the steps surrounded by bold florals. She also placed example guest portraits at the tablescape, serving as an additional name card, table décor, and a favor.
Creative Confections by Alicia Russell baked a sculptural cake inspired by the fashions of the Met Gala. The design, shaped to look like a suit jacket, an undershirt, and a neckpiece, also featured textures and patterns that coordinated with elements from other design spaces. The cake was accompanied by artisan, painted truffles from Infusion Chocolates, a local company committed to using the finest, premium ingredients.
Thrive Photography & Films prides itself on its adaptability, capable of capturing a wide variety of shooting styles and aesthetics. For this editorial, they used a gridded soft box with an accent light to add a little edge to the final gallery. The result was crisp, dramatic, and full of high-fashion details and moments.
Connect with each of the talented participating vendors by clicking on their names below! Find more wedding-related inspiration on our blog and by following us @wedplanmadison.
